The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
